WE AT FAMES HELP FOR AUTISM

When i met Dr. Sai sucheethra ( Pediatrician ) working at FAMES ( Fitness Adapdation Movement & Education Services) which is an initiative by SPARRC  Institute for children with physical , Intellectual and Emotional challenges for their holistic rehabilitation.  She took me over to the second floor and introduced me to Rahul  4yr old kid who was very cute , I said ” Hi,” smiling. Rahul looked at me but didnt say anything . Then he turned back to a toy he was holding . Later I said to Dr. Sai , “I dont think he likes me .” she said ” Its not your fault ,” he does like you – Rahul has autism and its hard for him to talk sometimes . But i can show you how to play with him , If you want .” I then really wanted to know what autism mean . Let’s find out .

What does Autism Mean ?

Its a spectrum disorder because doctors include autism in a group of problem that kids can have , including Asperger syndrome and others. when the brain develops differently and has trouble making sense of the world and helping someone communicate. Everyday our brain interpret (understand) the things we see, smell, hear, taste , touch , and experience . But when someone’s Brain has trouble interpreting  these things , It can make it hard to talk, listen , understand , play, and learn .

A kid with mild symptoms might need only a little bit of help . But a kid with severe symptoms might need a lot of help with learning and doing everyday stuff said  Dr. Sai.

Kids with autism often can’t make connections that other kids make easily . For example, when people smile, you know they feel happy or friendly , when people look mad, you can tell by their face or their voice . But kids with autism spectrum disorders have trouble understanding what emotions look like and what another person is thinking. They might act in a way that seems unusual , and it can be hard to understand why they’re  doing it.

What causes Autism ?

There is no specific reason or cause for Autism spectrum Disorders. Scientists believe that it could be connection to genetics ( something to do with kid’s genes) and the environment. Some kids might be more likely to get autism because it runs in their families. Other kids get it even if nobody in their family has these types of problems.  Knowing the exact cause of autism is hard because the human brain is very complicated . The brain has more than 100 billion nerve cells called neurons . Each neuron may have hundreds or thousands of connections that carry messages to other nerve cells in the brain and body. The connections and the chemical messengers they send ( Called neurotransmitters) keep neurons working as they should. When they so see, feel, move, remember , experience emotions, communicate, and do lots of other important stuff.

But a kid with autism , some of those cells and connections don’t develop normally or dont get organized like they’re supposed to . Scientists are still trying to understand how and why this happens.

WE  @  FAMES  HELP  FOR  AUTISM 

When i asked Dr. Sai , How it all started she said , Mrs. Sujatha Pugazhendhi Managing Director SPARRC institute during her internship days devoted  her time in providing Physiotheraphy to all  Kids with Autism at Bala Vihar school for Differentially Abled located at chennai . She believes that Kids with autism born into Affluent families can be easily taken care by their family since they could afford the therapy cost .  She thought kids in Orphanage diagnosed with Autism should also be taken care  . All her efforts and thoughts today continues as SPARRC institutes – FAMES Program for all kids who are differentially abled headed By Dr. Sai Sucheethra Dorairaj & her Team which includes a Phychologist, Speech therapist, Occupational therapist and Teacher.

The team at FAMES  believes that all these kids can learn to communicate better. Also the care they provide could help improve Kid’s social skills like taking turns and playing in a group .

Kids who have mild symptoms will graduate high school and may go to college and live on their own . But all will have bright futures when they have the support and understanding of their families , doctors , teachers, therapists, and friends says Dr. Sai.

So lets all be sure to be a friend !!!

Reviewed by : Shravan kumar ravindran

Date Reviewed : April 2017